EPHRATA, WA — A 54-year-old man being held in the Grant County Jail was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead Tuesday morning, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

At approximately 7 a.m. on November 4, jail staff discovered the man inside a special holding cell designated for individuals in crisis. He was unconscious, not breathing, and had no pulse. Staff initiated lifesaving measures, which were continued by LifeLine Ambulance and Ephrata Fire Department crews. Despite their efforts, the man was pronounced dead around 7:30 a.m. He was alone in the cell at the time.

Coroner Craig Morrison has taken custody of the body and will perform an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. The man’s next of kin were notified around 2:30 p.m.

The man had been arrested by Moses Lake Police on October 31 on suspicion of trafficking stolen property and theft. He had remained in custody at the Grant County Jail since that time.

Because the death occurred inside the jail, Sheriff Joe Kriete requested that the Central Basin Investigative Team (CBIT) conduct an independent investigation. The multi-agency team includes detectives from Grant, Kittitas, and Adams counties, as well as members of the Ellensburg Police Department, Washington State Patrol, and Othello Police Department. The assigned CBIT spokesperson is Capt. Troy Froewiss of the Ephrata Police Department.

Sheriff Kriete said in a statement that no personnel from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office or Moses Lake Police Department are involved in the investigation to ensure transparency and impartiality.

“We recognize that any death in custody can be distressing for family members, staff, and the community,” Kriete said. “The Grant County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to ensuring a thorough, fair, and compassionate review of this incident.”